# NTSB LAX98LA190: Fones Z-MAX 1300, N140FF, Buckeye, AZ, June 8, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 8, 1998, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Buckeye, AZ - Coordinates: 33.379737, -112.549179 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3797&lon=-112.5492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30113 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30113/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA190 ## Probable cause the failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during the landing approach, and his poor in-flight planning in making an off-airport landing at an unsuitable landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine temperature began to increase and he decided to make a precautionary landing in an open field. He later stated that he landed in that area so he could buy a drink from the local grocery store. During the landing rollout, the aircraft impacted an area of high brush. The aircraft nosed over and broke in half aft of the cockpit. The pilot holds a student pilot certificate/third-class medical dated December 3, 1993. The pilot reported that he has approximately 67 hours of total flight time, including 37 hours in the accident aircraft. An FAA inspector examined the pilot's logbook and reported that the logbook showed approximately 30 hours of flight instruction dating back to 1993, as well as a tail wheel aircraft endorsement made by a certified flight instructor approximately 5-6 months prior to the accident. The aircraft has no airworthiness certificate, nor is there an application for one. The FAA inspector examined the aircraft and reported that it was constructed of plywood and fabric. The inspector found no evidence of engine overheating. The pilot stated that he did not have the drawing plans or logbooks for the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On June 8, 1998, at 0915 hours mountain standard time, a Fones Z-Max 1300, N140FF, collided with the terrain during an off-airport landing approximately 10 miles east of the Buckeye, Arizona, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The local flight originated from the Buckeye airport at 0600. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that as he was flying, the engine temperature began to increase and he decided to make a precautionary landing in an open field for safety reasons. The pilot later stated to the Fire Department personnel that he decided to land in that area so he could buy a drink at the local grocery store. During the final approach, the pilot banked the aircraft to the right to avoid a barbed wire fence and the aircraft touched down approximately 1,200 feet short of the landing zone. The aircraft impacted an area of high brush, nosed over, and broke in half aft of the cockpit. The pilot holds a student pilot certificate/third-class medical dated December 3, 1993. The pilot reported that he has approximately 67 hours of total flight time, including 37 hours in the accident aircraft. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the pilot's logbook. He reported that the logbook showed approximately 30 hours of flight instruction dating back to 1993, as well as a tail wheel endorsement from a certified flight instructor made approximately 5-6 months prior to the accident. The aircraft has no airworthiness certificate, nor is there an application for one, according to the pilot. The pilot reported that he thought the airplane was considered to be an ultralight, and therefore, not subject to airplane regulations. The FAA inspector conducted an examination of the airplane and reported that the aircraft was constructed primarily of plywood and fabric. The seat belts were out of a Chevy van and were held together with wooden screws. The shoulder harnesses were backpack straps. There was a coffee can welded to the exhaust with holes poked in it. The inspector found no evidence of engine overheating. The pilot stated that he did not have the drawing plans or logbooks for the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N140FF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N140FF-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 1575-P (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Fones Z-MAX 1300 - Registry model: [Fones Frederick H Z-MAX 1300](https://openairdocs.org/model/fones-frederick-h-z-max-1300) (registry code 05605TV) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1575-P - Airframe hours: 37 - Engines: Zenoah G-50 25 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frederick Fones - Departed: BXK, BUCKEYE, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 67 total, 37 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980608016119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980608016119A), Jun 8, 1998: Amtr ZMAX, Buckeye, AZ, Substantial damage. (.19) On June 8, 1998, at 0915 hours mountain standard time, a fones z-max 1300, N140FF, collided with the terrain during an off-airport landing approximately… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.